The BEST Birthday Present I Didn't Know I Wanted

I think it was just after Christmas that my husband first started talking about my birthday present. He was excited enough for me to "hear" it in the messages he typed to me. I, knowing my husband, figured I would know what it was in a week or two. Honestly, as he talked about it, I was more excited to see how long he could keep it a secret than I was over receiving it. But, he didn't slip. He would tell me, excitedly, time and time again that he worked on my birthday present again. I waited for him to decide that he wanted me to know what it was more than he wanted me to be surprised. I kept waiting. He kept NOT telling me. As my doubt that he would reveal his secret rose, so did my curiosity. I began to "watch" his language for clues as to what it could be. His excitement grew and became highly contagious. I began to want him to slip and tell me, at the same time, I thought it'd be awfully nice to be surprised. (I'm glad he kept it secret).
Then one day, he typed that it was done. He would be sending a package soon and I would have my present, most likely, before my birthday. I was nervous by this point, what if I didn't love it as much as he thought I would. What if he put all that work into it and I only mildly appreciated it? We stopped talking about it and I didn't really think of it. Until I saw the box on the doorstep. I knew it was THE box, the one with my present. I wanted to rip into it and finally know what it was. But, I didn't remember if I was supposed to. Did he say I could open it when it came, or was I supposed to wait until the end of the month for my birthday? Could I even wait that long? It was still hours before he would be on for me to ask. And so, I waited again.

I opened the package surrounded by my kids. My gift was right on top. It was a CD with a note "HAPPY BDAY Babe, I hope you enjoy and remember I will always Love you." The CD itself was marked as being Lydia's Bday mix. So, he made me a mix of songs. I was interested in listening to them, but not anxious. I still had to get the kids to bed and I was typing to my husband then. I told him thanks and that I would be able to listen to it when I was done. We went through other things in the box and I was almost more excited for some of the random stuff he sent (like UNO- now that the girls are old enough to play it, and a few great books). I played cards with the girls, fed the baby, typed with my husband and didn't think much about the CD. Finally, over two hours after I had opened the package, I put the CD in my computer and hit play.

I spent the next two hours listening, and crying and typing to and praising my husband and talking with others on facebook about how awesome he is. My husband sent me HIM for my birthday. The CD started with Folsom Prison Blues, rewritten and resung by my husband to tell the story of his deployment. Next, the song I've been waiting for, A Girl Worth Fighting For. He covered a total of 18 songs (plus a bonus song). Each one made me cry again the moment he started singing it. Each song took me to a different memory of our relationship. Each song brought my husband to me. Each song filled me with happiness and love.
I've listened to this CD at least four times through (and more partial listenings) in the past 27 hours. I"ve played it for the kids. Lexi listened at first and hesitantly said, "that sounds like Daddy almost." I told her it was Daddy singing to us and she said, "that makes me want to cry almost." Now she excitedly exclaims, "I recognize this." after almost every new song starts. Emily dances to the CD and asks to play her favorites over and over. Nater doesn't really care (two year old boys must not really get how awesome it is to have Daddy sing to you). And William listens and looks around for his dad, he even stops nursing just to listen to his Dad sing.
I couldn't feel more loved. I never could have asked for a gift like this, because I honestly never could have imagined how wonderful it would be to have a piece of Philip in our home again. It is definitely nice to have something to help us feel close to him as we wait to have all of him back with us again. Thank you so much love! This truly is the best present!